Signaling system



- July 10, 1923. 1 1,461,204

J. H. BELL SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed April 17, 1920 MVenfar: Job/7 hf 56 Patented J uly 10, .1923.

UNITED'STATES PATENT 1,461,204 OFFICE.

JOHN H. BELL, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, O11" NEW YORK, N. Y., A'GORPORATION OF NEVT YORK.

SIGNALING sys'rnivr.

Application tiled a rniv, 1920. Serial No. 374,596;

T 0 aZZcb 7mm c't may concern.

e it known that I, JOHN H. citizen of the United States, residing at South Orange, in the county of'EsseX and State of ,New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful'lmprovements in Signaling Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to selective signaling systemsand has for its object the provision of 'an*in1provedi signaling system which is particularly applicable to printing telegraphy. i V

Where there are a large number of printers on asingle circuit, such as is the case in systems employed for commercial telegraph work, the continuous operation of the printer mechanism when the particular message is intended for but one station is,as is seen,very objectionableboth from the standpoint of the wear ofthe printer parts and the unnecessary paper consump-,

tion. In order to obviaterthis condition the present invention provides a system wherein the printer mechanism is normally disconnected from the line and the stations to which are assigned a particular combinatlon of impulses may be signalled by the transmission of the impulse-s individualfto:

the desired station for advising the attendant thatthe printer mechanism should be connected with the line. j

In accordance with the object of the invention. there is provided a plurality of relays operating in response to a definite combination of impulses, to eiiectthe operation of a signaling device'upon the successive transmission of that combination to the called station, a definitenumber of times.

In attaining the object of the invention, there is provided at'each of the several stations a plurality of relays'arranged in conjunction with a distr butor and responsive to thetransmission of aparticular combination of selecting units individual toeach of the stations for causingthe operation of an electromagnetwhich places a signaling device in condition for operation. The sig- .naling devic'eis thereby adapted to be operated dueto the successive transmission of the particular.combination of selecting units apredeterminedi number of times.

.A better understanding of the invention maybe had lfromthe following description when'takenin conjunction with the accom BELL, a

mote points. These relays are normally en-.

ergized and have their contacts arranged to control the operation of a distributor and the application of a source of battery with a segmented ring of the distributor. The distributor 4, there being a similar distributor individual to each of the relays 3, has an arm 5, the rotation 01"? which is controlled by a'holding pawl 7. This holding pawl is adapted to be withdrawn from engagement with the arm 5 upon th'eopera tion of an electromagnet 6, which is under the control of line relay 3 and is energized upon the deenergization of this relay. The arm is provided. with a brush 8 for completing a circuit betweenthe difierent rings and segments 01" the distributor. A shaft 14 whichhas mounted thereon the arm 5, a cam 15 and a threaded member 26 are adapt ed to be rotated together as a unit.- The arm as well as the cam 15 is, however, only friction tight on this shaft and these parts.

are thereby only rotatedwhen released due.

as to shifted simultaneously for .disconr necting and connecting, depending upon the position of the switch, the selecting magnets of the printer mechanism shown in the rectangle. This switch, when thrown so as to disconnect the selecting magnets, con-. nects with the segments of the distributor, a group of relays such as 16 to 21 inclusive. These relays have their contacts so ,arranged that when a group of selecting I units individual to the particular; station at which these relaysflare located and which may be termed as a call signal, is transmittedover the line, they will be energized for ill completing a circuit including the wind- .ing of a slow-release magnet 23. In order that the relays which are energized in aca cordance with the selecting units transmitted-over the line may maintain their contacts closed" during the timein which the distributor arm is completing its cycle, a locking circuit therefor, is provided under the control of contact arm 22. This contact ing circuit. for these relays will be broken once perrevolution of the cam as the contact arm 22 is caused to disengage its associate contact when it rides in to therecessed P0111011 of the cam. During the remainder of the cycle the locking circuit will, how

H net 28", there being a local circuit completed uponthe energization of these relays including the Winding of nagnet 23. There is pivoted to one end of the armature of this magnet 23, an arm 24 having one end milled to fit the threads of the threaded uember 26. The attraction of the armature of magnet 23, due to its venergization, causes the arm 24 to engage the threaded member 26, and, inasmuch as the threaded member 26 is constantly revolving, the member 24 will be moved outwardly as long as magnet 2-3 is maintained energized and until the arm 24 has reached the end of the threads in the threaded member 26. the slow-release type, so as not to be released upon the momentary deenergization of the relays controlling its operation.

If the particular set of selecting units in- 1 dividual to the station at which relays 16 to 21 inclusive, are located, is transmitted over the-line a definite number of times, the magnet 23w1ll be maintained energized and in consequence thereof the arm 24 will be caused to move outwardly through the action of the threaded member 26 to engage con tact member 25. The number of times which I the combination of selecting units must be transmitted over the line, will, of course, depend upon "the distance interveningbetween the arm 24 and contact The engagement of arm 24 with the contact member closes a circuit including an alarm device, such as 27. This alarm device has been shown in the form of an ordinary hell, but it is, of course, obvious that any other suitable form of signaling device may be the several relays havereleased their army This magnet is of.

tures, due to the cessation of the current impulses. This can, of course, easily be sup plied by any one skilled in the art.

1t is thought that a more definite understanding of the invention can be had from a description of the operation of the system as applied to a particular station.

A distant operator in desiring to call the attendant of the printer mechanism at station A would operate the transmitting apparatus so as to transmit the following set of selecting units: No current, current, no current, current, current, and no current. The transmission of such a set of selecting units causes the operation of all of the line relays and in consequence thereof the operation of the distributor at each of the stations. But inasmuch as a definite set of selecting units is assigned to each station for effecting the operation of rela s 16 to 21 in a certain prescribed manner or causing the energization of the electromagnet 23, the signal device at only one of the stations will be operated, due to the transmission of the above set of selecting units. The operation of the distributor is etlected due to the transmission of the first unit; that is, the removal of current from the line which causes the deenergization of line relay 3. The deenergization of this relay connects the battery 12 with the winding of magnet 6, and if the brush 8 of the distributor 4 is in contact with segments 9 and 10 thereof, an energizing circuit for magnet 6 is 00111 pleted. This circuit extends from the battery 12 through the armature and normal contact ofrelay 3, winding of magnet 6, segment 9, brush 8, and segment 10 of the distributor to ground. The electromagnet 6, in operating, withdraws the holding pawl 7 from engagement with the arm 5 and ermits the same to be revolved with the iaft 14. The passage of the brush 8 over the various segi'nents, and the operation of relay 3, in accordance with the selecting units for connecting the battery 12 with the ring 1], establishes an energizing circuit for certain ofv the relays 16 to 20, while relay 21 is energized over a local circuit completed through the segments of the distributor by the contact brush 8. It is therefore required, in order to complete the energizing circuit for magnet 23, that these relays be operated in a certain prescribed manner.

The passage of the brush 8 over the segments of the distributor, which are individual to each of the relays 16 to 20, causes theapplication of battery to the winding ofthese relays in accordance with the energization of the line relay 3, which, as previously pointed out, controls the application of the source of battery 12 withthe ring 11 of the distributor. Thus, when the brush 8 ispassing over a particular segment, and should relay 3 be operated at that instant,

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' distributor.

the source of battery 12 will be connected with the relay which has its Winding connected with this particular segment of the Inasmuch as the cam 15 is mounted on the same shaft as the arm 5, and has its recessed port-ion so arranged with respect (to contact member 22, as to effeet the closure of this contact just prior to the passageof brush 8 over the first seg-.

ment of the distributor to which relays 16 to 21 inclusive are connected, ground will thereupon be applied to the winding of each of these relays. Thus when the source of battery 12 is connected with the ring 11 of the distributor, the relay connected with the segment over whichtthe brush 8V is at that instant passing, will be energized. This circuit may be traced from battery 12, armature and alternate contact :of relay 3, ring 11 of distributor 4, contact brush 8, a segment of the distributor 4, arm of switch 13, winding of the relay connected with the particular segment over which the brush 8 ispassing, and contact 22 to ground. The transmission of the remaining selecting units, as

previously noted, causes the energization of relays 16, 18 and 19. The passage otthe brush 8 over the segment to which the winding of relay 21 is connected completes the energizing circuitfor relay 21. Alocking circuit forthese relays is established upon their energization. This circuit extends from battery, through the right-hand contact and winding of these relays and contact 22 to ground, and will be maintained until the arm 5 has nearly completed its cycle, at which time the contact member 22 is caused to drop into the recess on the surface of the cam 15, thereby removing the ground connection. The energization of relays 16, 18, 19 and 21 completes a circuit including the. winding of magnet 23, extending from battery through the left-hand contacts of relays 16 to 21 inclusive and thewinding of magnet 23 to ground. It is thus seen from the above that each time the distributor arm is released, relay 21 will be energized as its energizationis in no ways dependent upon the energization of relay 3. Unless this is the case, the energizing circuit for relay 23 will not be completed even though the other relays, previously enumerated, have been energized. Relay 23, in operating, attracts its armature and moves the arm 24 into engagement with the threaded member 26,

which thereby causes a movement. of this member away from its stop bar under the the arm 24, completes a circuit including thesignaling device 27, thereby causing its operation. The attendant upon receiving this signal is at once aware that the switch 13 should be thrown so as to connect the selecting magnets of the printer mechanism with the segments of the distributor 11 for the reception of a message. This having been done, the message can be transmitted in the usual manner.

The invention has been shown as applied to a start-stop system of printing telegraphy, but it is obvious that its application is not limited to this particular class of systems, as it may be employed in connection with a number of other systems without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a signaling conductor having a plurality of stations connected thereto, of signal responsive means at each of the stations comprising a motordriven distributor, contact control means rotated in synchronism with said distributor, a plurality of relays energized in accordance with current impulses allotted thereto by said distributor, a signaling device, and a slow-release relay controlled by the energization of said relays in predetermined combinations and the actuation of said contact control means to effect the operation of said signaling device.

2. The combination with a signaling conductor having a plurality of stations connected thereto, of a signal responsive means at each of the stations comprising an intermittently rotating distributor, a plurality of relays energized in accordance with current impulses allotted by said distributor, con tact control means, a signaling device, and means controlled by the conjoint action of said contact control means and said relays when energized in a predetermined combination for causing the operation of said relay to effect the actuation of the signaling device.

3. In combination with a signaling con-- ductor having a plurality of stations connected thereto, of signal responsive apparatus at each of the stations comprising a rotarydistributor, a cam operated in syn chronism with said distributor, circuit-con.- trolling contacts associated with said cam, a slow-release relay, a plurality of relays energizedin response to predetermined combinations of current, impulses for causing the energization of said slow-release relay, a locking circuit for said relays completed upon the closing of said circuit control contacts by said cam, and a signaling device operated upon the energization of said slowrelease relay for a definite period of time.

4. A signaling system comprising a line, a group of relays energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a contact arm, a revolving member, a signal. ing device, and means operated upon the energization of certain ones of said relays for bringing said contact arm into engagement with the revolving member whereby said contact arm is advanced to cause the operation of said signaling device.

5. A signaling system comprising a line, a plurality of relays energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a signaling device, an electromagnet operated u on the energization of certain ones of sai relays, a revolving member, and a contact arm brought into engagement with said revolving member and advanced there by upon the continued operation of said magnet for operating said signaling device.

6. A signaling system comprisinga line, a plurality of relays energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a signaling device, an electromagnet operated upon the energization of certain ones of said relays, a revolving member, and a contact arm brought into engagement with said revolving member and advanced thereby upon the continued operation of said magnet a definite period of time for operatingsaid signaling device.

7. A printing telegraph system comprising a line, a plurality of relays, a distributor for allotting current impulses as transmitted over said line to operate said relays, a slow-release relay energized upon the operation of said relays due to the transmission of a combination of impulses, and a signaling device operated upon the continued o eration of said slow-release relay.

8. signaling system comprising a line, a plurality of relays, a distributor for allotting current impulses as transmitted over said line to operate said relays, a cam, a locking circuit for each of said relays controlled by said cam and established upon the operation of said relays, a slow-release relay energized upon the operation of said relays due to the transmission of a particular combination of impulses, and a signaling device operated upon the continued opera-'- tion of said slow-release relay.

9. A signaling system com rising a line, a plurality of stations on said ine, a code sig-. nal for each of said stations, means opert in ponse t e ransm s ion of sai d g means op r ted upon he operon of a d. eans, and. a sign ing device c ntrolled by said lastrn nti n d means and operated only du to the repeat d transission of said cod signa 10. A signaling system comprising a line, a plurality of stations on said line, a distri utor for allotting current impulses as transmitted over said line to said plurality of stations, a code signal individual to each of said stations, a plurality of relays energized upon the transmission of said code signal, a slow-release relay energized upon the operation of said relays, and a signaling device controlled by said slow-release relay and operated upon the transmission of said code signal a definite number of times.

11. In combination with a printer mechanism, a line, a plurality of relays, a distributor, a switch controlling the connection of said printer mechanism and said relays with said distributor, a signaling device, and means operated due to the energization of certain ones of said relays and rendered effective only upon the successive reenergizat-ion of such relays a definite number of times for causing the operation of said signaling device.

12. A signaling system comprising a line, a group of relays'energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a contact arm, a revolving member, means operated upon the energization of certain ones of said relays for bringing said contact arm into engagement with the revolving member whereby said contact arm is advanced horizontally, and a signaling do vice operated upon the advancement of said arm through a predetermined distance.

13. A. signaling system comprising a line, a group of relays energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a contact arm, a revolving member, means operated upon the energization of certain ones of said relays for bringing said contact arm into engagement with the revolving member whereby said contact arm is advanced, an electrically operating signaling device, and circuit connections controlled by said contact arm for causing the operation of the signaling device.

14. A signaling system comprising a line, a group of relays energized due to the transmission of current impulses over said line, a circuit closing device, a revolving member, means operated upon the energization of certain ones of Said relays for bringing a d. c cui clo ing e ice into engagement with the revolving member for causing 1 the movement thereof, and a signaling deice contro led by said circ t c ing device.

In ness hereof, I hereunto subsc ib my nam th s 16th day o Ap A, D. 1 20- JOHN BELL. 

